Well folks, it almost time for one of the most anticipated social events of the year – the Paluma Glamour and Glitz Social. This auspicious social occasion will be held on Saturday 10th August at the Community Hall, commencing at 6.30 pm.
Now’s the time to check that wardrobe and plan your most glamorous and glitzy outfit for this not-to-be-missed social event!
There will be a prize on the night of a free beverage for the Best Dressed Male, the ‘King of Bling’ – and also the best dressed Female – the ‘Queen of the Village’. No doubt this will be a hotly contested competition.
Rumour has it that several local ladies have been planning their outfits for some time and are set to dazzle and sparkle on the night!!
It’s time to put the mower, the leaf-blower and the chainsaw in the shed, ditch those work clothes and scrub-up for a night of glitz, bling, razzle-dazzle and fun.
As usual, please bring a plate to share (savoury or sweet) and don’t forget that the bar will be open with our very own ‘Blingy Barman’ (Les Hyland) who will be dispensing low-cost drinks.
The annual Paluma Push event was held last Sunday 21 July 2019. It was one of the best organised Paluma Push events in recent times. There was a ‘Check Point Operations Plan’ available in advance which was extremely informative, especially for new volunteers. It clarified set up times, duties and the number of persons needed at each Check Point. Equally useful, a digital map was provided and updated so that all organisers and volunteers were aware of the designated Check Points along the course.
This year there were four categories:- Competition 70 km. Intermediate 53 km. Recreational 42 km and the new E-bike class 53 km. Start times from Paluma were at 09.00 am, 09.05 am, 09.10 am & 09.20am, respectively.
The Paluma Dam Road was in very good condition after the recent remedial roadworks (following the February 2019 deluge) and the fastest competitor arrived at Check Point 1 in just under 28 minutes. One has to say that at many of the checkpoints some ‘assertive direction’ is necessary where the different competitor classes diverge to take different courses.
Radio communications were essential, provided mostly by handheld radios supplied by the Rural Fire Brigades, Mt Spec SES and Townsville SES. Members of all three services manned Check Points and some additional local volunteers manually recorded and counted the numbers of competitors as they passed through the Check Points. Waterfall Creek Rural Fire Brigade handled from Check Point 5A onwards, while Paluma volunteers manned the rest. Interestingly some of the Check Points which had excellent communication in previous years had some issues with static and positioning problems.
From the Check Point 1 rider count we believe there was a total of 445 competitors. The rider numbers in the first three categories were quite similar, whereas in past years the highest number of riders were from the Recreational group. There were 9 riders in the E-bike class – a recent addition to the Paluma Push competitors.
All volunteers regarded their participation in the Paluma Push as rewarding and a great day out on what was a perfect Paluma winter day. Many enjoyed the excellent barbeque provided in the Paluma Community Hall after the race.
Paluma’s own artist and potter Len Cook has taken out the major award at the 41st Hinchinbrook Art Awards. Len was named as the overall winner (Open Award) for 2019 at a ceremony at the Tyto Gallery last Friday evening (19 July).
Congratulations to Len from all his friends and colleagues at Paluma for this major achievement and recognition of his exceptional work in clay. Len’s award winning exhibit was a tea bowl with a shino glaze.
Len Cook’s award winning Tea Bowl with shino glaze (pictured on the right).
Local artist, Ange Venardos also took out the Watercolour Award for her work entitled ‘Diversity’ (female form). This work features the four corners of the earth, depicted by plants including magnolia, lotus and dutchman’s pipe.
Locals and visitors to Paluma are reminded that Len Cook Ceramics is OPEN on a regular basis with the usual business hours of 10 am to 4 pm. The Gallery is located at 29 Lennox Crescent, Paluma (off Mount Spec Road).
Len Cook in his Gallery at Len Cook Ceramics, Paluma.
It was a big weekend at Paluma on 29th and 30th June. The annual Bush Dance with the Wattle n Gum Band was held at the Community Hall on Saturday night with many locals and visitors dancing the night away.
On Sunday morning the weather was superb with clear blue skies and a cool breeze. A bumper crowd attended the Paluma Market and there were plenty of stalls to browse. The wares on sale included handmade gemstone jewellery, leadlight glass ornaments, original paintings, knitted and crocheted clothes, shawls, scarves, beanies and blankets, a variety of bric-a-brac, DVD’s, books, cards, plants and delicious homemade cakes, biscuits and condiments. There were bargains galore!!
Members of the Wattle n Gum Bush Band put on an impromptu performance at the playground, while members and volunteers of the PDCA sizzled sausages at the rotunda. A great morning was had by all with many people lingering to relax and enjoy the music, the sausage sizzle and the cool mountain air.
The annual Paluma Push event is taking place on Sunday 21 July 2019.
The Paluma Rural Fire Brigade is calling for volunteers from the local Paluma community to assist with the event. Volunteers are required for manning the various Check Points, parking & traffic management and numerous other tasks. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Len Cook as soon as possible to register your interest on email:- anagama@activ8.net.au
Please note that as a volunteer you will need to be available on Sunday 21 July, but also attend a pre-race briefing meeting at the Community Hall on Saturday 20 July (late afternoon). After the race, volunteers will be treated to a BBQ at the Community Hall on Sunday night and receive a free Paluma Push t-shirt.
Denim jeans, western checked shirts and cowboy hats were the fashion at the Country & Western & Casserole Night on Saturday 8th June at the Community Hall. Whilst only a small crowd of some 17 people attended this latest event on the Paluma Social Calendar, they made up for the small contingent by having a rowdy good time.
A sumptuous feast of hot and hearty home-cooked dishes meant that everyone had their fill of soups, casseroles, warm fruity desserts and carbs. The bar saw a brisk and lively trade as the guests warmed up on beer, wine and spirits of their choice.
The impromptu “Guess the Country & Western Song Competition” was blitzed by Michele who proved beyond any doubt that she is the biggest country bumpkin in the village!
Major thanks go to Jamie and Juanita for providing the music on the night and to Les and Lynn for their usual exceptional skills in organising the event.
Look at all those country & western checked shirts……..!
Photographer on the night, Sam Stedman, gets in on the action with a selfie!
The Rollingstone Community Association hosted its annual “Pioneer’s Luncheon” on Friday 7th June 2019 in their Community Hall. This was an extremely well organised function with a splendid lunch provided for those over 65 years of age. Some 70 people were present for the luncheon. Also in attendance was the Local Member Nick Dametto and Councillor Margie Ryder. The proceedings were ably chaired by the President of the Rollingstone Community Association, Sue Von Wald.
In previous years there was a gift for the oldest man and oldest lady, but this year the recognition was quite different. Each of the groups from the Townsville Northern Beaches (TNB) from Saunders Beach, Toolakea, Toomulla, Rollingstone and Paluma were asked to nominate someone from their community who had made a substantial contribution within their area. The nominees for each area were given an award in recognition of their community work. However, it was also intended that one person would be the overall winner to be provided with an engraved trophy.
Wonderful to relate the news that the overall winner and trophy was awarded, albeit posthumously, to the Paluma nominee – Roy Mackay.
This award for Roy Mackay was met with considerable acclamation from all those present and celebrated with great delight at Paluma by Roy’s friends and extended family. Colwyn Campbell was called on to accept the trophy on behalf of Roy. In her acceptance speech Colwyn said:-
“It gives me great pleasure and great pride to accept this award on behalf of Roy Mackay. Roy was a humble man, very modest, who would never have sought honours or awards for himself. He was a tremendously generous man. Generous with his time and in sharing his vast knowledge. It was sufficient reward for him to know that through his own passion for the world of nature he had enthused others to love and care for the environment. Roy was certainly a hero to the people of Paluma”.
Roy’s Local Hero Award will be placed in our Paluma Community Hall in the near future for all to admire and treasure.
Article & Photos by Les Hyland, Colwyn Campbell & Michele Bird
The Local Hero Award 2019 – Roy Mackay
Colwyn Campbell accepting the Local Hero Award on behalf of Roy.
Our Paluma attendees for the Local Awards Luncheon proudly displaying the award after the event – Lynn Hyland, Colwyn Campbell and Les Hyland.
The following is a copy of the nomination submitted for Roy Mackay for the Local Hero Award 2019.
Nomination for Local Hero Award – Paluma Section – Roy Mackay
Roy Mackay passed away in February 2019, just a few weeks short of his 91stbirthday. For a long time, he held the position in our little village community of being Paluma’s esteemed Elder, as well as the oldest permanent resident.
Roy Mackay made Paluma his home for over 30 years after moving to the village with his wife Margaret after they had lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for many years. Roy was a world renowned and respected naturalist, taxidermist and scientist. His list of work achievements and his contribution to science and the natural world is well documented, admired and respected by his colleagues.
But, it is Roy’s contribution to the village of Paluma which earns him this nomination.
While making Paluma his home he dedicated much of his time to observing, recording and documenting Paluma’s natural attributes. His life’s passion to the very end of his existence in this world was nature. At Paluma he immersed himself in the rainforest and he studied its birds, animals, plants and multitude of creatures. He encouraged others to do the same – to quietly observe, notice and foremost, to appreciate, protect and treasure nature.
Roy never tired of learning and recording, but also passing on his vast knowledge and appreciation for the natural world. He always gave freely of his time and knowledge. Roy always had time to talk about nature, to help both residents and visitors identify their specimens, or chat about their finds. He was ever ready with his field guides and his notebook to jot down for prosperity the latest scientific observations and discoveries at Paluma. His diligence for recording the natural world was most evident in his personal library, which included floor to ceiling shelves of his hand-written diaries and field notes. He was indeed a remarkable scientist, acknowledged as such by the very best, including Sir David Attenborough himself.
Roy’s work contributed to many of the greatest attributes that Paluma has to offer. Along with others he helped to establish and record some of the major walking tracks in the area, as well as lists of endemic birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. He made regular contributions over many years to local newsletters and publications with his ‘Nature Notes’ in Paluma’s Turkey Talk and the Rollingstone Rag.
Roy was ever-present as a volunteer and worker at every local community event. He was a volunteer Check Point Officer for the Paluma Push bike race from its very inception. He was there in July 2018 for the last time at Checkpoint 1, taking down those bicycle numbers with stern concentration and complete dedication.
We hosted two memorial events at Paluma after Roy’s passing to honour and remember his life, his work and his contributions to the village. His friends and admirers came in droves to pay homage and respect, and to lament his great loss.
Overwhelmingly, the one true trait that everyone who knew Roy Mackay recalls is that he was a ‘true gentlemen’. Quiet, observant, patient, attentive, kind and devoted to his life’s work, family and friends.
Roy Mackay is greatly missed each day, but especially at those times when a new specimen or natural discovery is made. Those words……”Let’s go ask Roy!”are now hollow and echo around the village of Paluma.
But, Roy’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of all those who knew him, loved and admired him. In this village he is considered not only a Local Hero, but we call him our own National Treasure.
In this year of his passing, we nominate Roy Mackay as a Local Hero, a true gentleman and an astounding human being.
The PDCA would like to remind Paluma residents, friends, family and visitors that the next Social will be held this coming Saturday night 8th June at the Community Hall, commencing at 6.30 PM. ALL WELCOME.
Come along to enjoy a night of good company, country & western music and hearty home-cooked tucker.
Wear your best (or worst) country & western gear and please bring along a casserole, soup or other dish to share. The Bar will be open with low-cost beverages as usual.
See Ya’all up the Misty Mountain – Be There or Be Square.
The upgrade work to the retaining wall at the Loop Road at Paluma has been completed. Over a period of two weeks, Contractors for Townsville City Council were very busy erecting a new steel and concrete retaining wall along the road margins. The completion of this work sees a big improvement to the overall appearance and aesthetics of the Loop Road and the access to McClelland’s Lookout. The new wall also enhances the safety, road drainage and maintenance issues for this area.
Jamie Oliver (PDCA President) commented recently “in discussions with our local Councillor, Margie Ryder, this was highlighted as a top priority for action by the PDCA over the last couple of years. Many thanks to Margie, who championed this issue and was able to source funding for it from the $600 million Works for Queensland (W4Q) program that supports regional Councils to undertake job-creating maintenance and minor infrastructure projects”.
